Humidifier



June 12, 1962 w. H. RICE 3,038,708

' HUMIDIFIER Filed Nov. 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. MAM/e0 h Km: BY

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HUMIDIFIER Filed Nov. 2, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fikin/ ATTO/F/Vfyy W. H. RICE June 12, 1962 HUMIDIFIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2. 1959 INVENTOR.

Mzm/w A7765 BY 3,038,708 HUMIDIFIER Willard H. Rice, 996 Mountain Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ. Filed Nov. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 850,137 3 Claims. (Cl. 261-66) This invention relates generally to humidifiers for use with hot air heating systems in order to increase the humidity in the structure being heated, and more par- 'ticularly to a humidifier of the traveling belt type in which moisture is retained on the belt by virtue of the waters capillary and surface tension characteristics.

There have been many attempts in recent years to develop a compact and inexpensive humidifier which could be simply installed in both new and existing hot air heating systems. In general, these humidifiers have been of the evaporation plate type, traveling belt type, slinger type, drip type, pan type, or heated boiler type. These humidifiers all utilize a water source and in some manner introduce a predetermined amount of water or water vapor into the heated air stream in order to increase the humidity of the structure being heated. The humidifiers presently in use all have the disadvantage that lime accumulates rapidly in the water supply valve thereby decreasing the amount of water or water vapor introduced into the hot air stream. In addition, due to the bulk of prior art humidifiers, a considerable portion of the hot air flow in the plenum or duct in which the humidifier is installed is obstructed. This results in a decrease in heating capacity.

Another disadvantage of prior art humidifiers is the type of material utilized to convey Water from the water supply to the hot air stream. The materials used for this purpose generally are poor absorbers of water such that the rate at which these materials can absorb moisture is much slower than the rate of evaporation due to the flow of hot air passing by or through these materials. As a result of this only that portion of the conveying material near the source of water retains enough moisture to evaporate upon contact by the hot air stream thereby considerably reducing the evaporation capacity of the humidifier. These prior art water conveyor means also rapidly become covered with lime which also reduces their ability to absorb moisture and therefore reduces the over-all efficiency of the humidifier.

In view of the foregoing, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a humidifier which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install in the duct work of hot air heating systems and which operates without the need for any external electrical or mechanical connections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier which utilizes a non-water absorbing foraminated material as the water conveying means, the water being retained in the pores of the foraminated material due to the surface tension and capillary characteristics of the water.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier in which the path of travel of the water conveying means is such that the conveying means is continually being flexed in order to prevent any foreign substances from becoming accumulated on the conveying material and thereby reducing its evaporative capacity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier in which the water to be distributed is stored in a tank, the level ofwater in this tank being maintained constant regardless of fluctuations of pressure in the water supply line.

For a better understanding of the present invention as well as further objects and features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description of the in- 2 vention to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like components in the several views are identified by like reference numerals.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the humidifier of the present invention, the humidifier being shown mounted in the duct work leading from the furnace of a hot air heating system.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating the water tank in its equilibrium position wherein the valve supplying water to the tank is closed. I

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 5 is a detail drawing of the water valve illustrated in FIGURE 3 and showing the valve in an open position.

Briefly stated, the present invention includes a generally rectangular chamber which is open at the top and bottom in order to provide a passage within the chamber through which the hot air from the furnace is adapted to pass. The humidifier is preferably mounted in a Vertical portion of the duct work emanating from the hot air furnace and in such manner that the passage in the chamber is in vertical alignment with the flow of the hot air stream. A continuous non-water absorbent foraminated belt preferably made of fiberglass or wire mesh is mounted within the chamber in such manner as to intercept the flow of hot air through the chamber. In the preferred embodiment, this belt intersects the air stream at right angles and preferably throughout the area of the exit opening in the chamber. A Water tank is positioned within the chamber in such manner that a portion of the belt is continuously immersed in the water in this tank. The water level in this tank is maintained constant regardless of pressure fluctuations in the water line. A fan is mounted in the chamber and is adapted to be rotated by the flow of hot air through the chamber. This fan is intercoupled with the drive means for the belt such that the rate of movement of the belt is controlled by the flow of hot air from the furnace.

Referring now to the figures, the humidifier of the present invention consists of a rectangular chamber identitied in general by the numeral 10. The chamber '10 includes end walls 11 and 12 and side Walls 13 and 14. The chamber 10 is open at the top and bottom to form a passage 15 therethrough for a purpose to be presently described.

The chamber 10 is adapted to be mounted in an air duct 16 emanating from a hot air furnace. This is accomplished by providing the end wall 11 with extending lip portions 17 which are adapted to 'bear against a wall of the duct work 16. In installing the chamber 10 in an existing hot air system an opening is cut in the duct work 16 of sufiicient size to permit insertion of the chamber 10. The opening cut in the duct work '16 is slightly larger than the spacing between the side walls 13 and 14- but smaller than the spacing between the opposed lips 17. The chamber 10 is then inserted in the opening cut in the duct work 16 and the chamber 10 is secured in position by means of screws 18.

The chamber 10 is preferably mounted in a vertical section of duct work 16 emanating from the hot air furnace. When the chamber 10 is mounted in the duct work 16 in this manner, the passage 15 is in vertical alignment with the flow of forced hot air in the duct work 16 for a purpose be presently described. It is to be noted that the chamber 10 is smaller in cross-section than the duct 16 and thereby only a portion of the hot air flowing in the duct 16 is diverted through the passage 15.

3 The size of the chamber as compared with the size of the duct 16 is such that the chamber 10 does not materially decrease the flow of hot air in the duct 16 and therefore has no effect on the heating capacity of the heating system.

The humidifier of the present invention is adapted to introduce a controlled amount of moisture into the forced hot air stream and thereby increase the humidity in the structure being heated. The water to be introduced into the hot air stream is stored in a water tank identified in general by the numeral 19. The supply of water in the water tank 19 is replenished from a water line 20 which is coupled to a fitting 21 mounted on the end wall 11 of the chamber '10. The fitting 21 is intercoupled with a water valve 22 which is mounted on the inner face of end wall 11. The water valve 22 extends within the water tank 19 and below the normal water level in the tank 19 for a purpose to be presently described.

The water tank 19 is pivotably supported at one end by the rod 23 and at the other end by the leaf spring 24. The rod 23 is supported at one end by the side wall 14 and at the other end by the baffle plate 48. As indicated in FIGURE 1, the rod 23 extends through holes drilled in the side plates 25a and 26a of the water tank 19. It can therefore be seen that the water tank pivots about an axis adjacent to the water valve 22.

The spring 24 is secured at one end to the end wall 12 of the chamber 10 and the other end bears against the bottom 27 of the water tank 19. The force of the leaf spring 24 is adjusted so that it is sufiicient to maintain the water tank 19 in a horizontal equilibrium position when the water tank is filled with water to a level slightly above the exit end of the water valve 22. This is considered the normal water level in the water tank 19.

A block 28 constituted of non-corrosive material is positioned within the water tank 19 vertically below the water valve 22. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, the block 28 rests upon a flange 29 secured to or formed integrally with the side plate 25a of the water tank 19. If desired, the block 28 may be connected directly to the side plate 25a. The upper face of the block 28 adjacent the exit end of the water valve 22 has inset therein a sealing member 30 constituted by a resilient material such as rubber. 30 is such that when the water tank 19 is in a horizontal equilibrium position the exit end of the water valve 22 bears against the sealing member 30 and cuts off the fiow of water from the valve 22 to the tank 19.

When the supply of water in the water tank 19 falls below the normal water level, the spring 24 urges the tank 19 in an upward direction and the tank 19 pivots in a counterclockwise direction around the rod 23. This is illustrated in FIGURE 5. When the water tank 19 is thus pivoted from its normal horizontal equilibrium position the sealing member 30 is moved out of engagement with the exit end of the water valve 22 thereby breaking the seal between these members. This permits water to flow from the water valve 22 into the water tank 19. As water enters the water tank 19 the tank pivots in a clockwise direction about the rod 23 against the force of the spring 24. When sufficient water has entered the tank 19 to raise the level thereof to the predetermined normal water level, the tank 19 is again in its normal horizontal equilibrium position. When this occurs the sealing member is again seated against the exit end of the water valve 22 and the seal between these members is again reinstated thereby interrupting the flow of water to the water tank 19.

It is to be noted that this pivoting action of the water tank is gradual as Water is removed from the water tank 19. The seal between the sealing member 30 and the exit end of the water valve 22 is therefore intermittently broken and water seeps slowly into the water tank 19. Since the exit end of the water valve 22 is always below The size and position of the sealing member the surface of the water in the tank 19 no Water is splashed from the tank 19 onto the other component parts of the chamber 10.

In this manner the pivotable mounting of the water tank 19 enables the weight of the water in the tank 19 to open or close the water supply valve 22. The fixed ratio of the water weight in the tank 19 in combination with the force of the spring 24 and the large leverage action permits the use of a water valve 22 having an exit opening approximately four times greater than the size normally associated with humidifiers. This greatly reduces the likelihood of lime becoming accumulated in the valve 22 and thereby decreasing or completely interrupting the flow of water to the tank 19.

The water tank 19 may be interconnected with any available source of water and the operation of the tank will not be affected by variations in pressure in the water line 20. This is due to the fact that the equilibrium position of the water tank 19 is independent of pressure fluctuations in the water line 20. The balance or equilibrium condition of the water tank 19 is determined solely by the weight of water in the tank 19 and the force exerted by the spring 24. The opening and closing of the valve 22 therefore will at all times respond in an identical manner regardless of water pressure variations.

It is also to be noted that the sealing member 30 is supported in its contact plane with the exit end of water valve 22 at a distance below the pivot rod 23 so that as the tank 19 pivotally moves there is a horizontal wiping action against the end of water valve 22 and the surface of the sealing member 30. This action serves to scrub or break away any lime accumulation thus further preventing the clogging of the valve.

The humidifier of the present invention is of the traveling belt type in which water is carried from the tank 19 by a belt to the hot air stream where it is evaporated and introduced into the air stream. The belt used for this purpose is identified in general by the numeral 31 and is constituted by a foraminated material. Since the humiditier of the present invention is to be installed in the vicinity of a furnace it is desirable that the belt 31 and all other components of the humidifier be constituted of fireproof material. The belts 31 are therefore preferably constituted of fiberglass, wire mesh or other suitable foraminated fireproof material or metal having pores 32 formed there in. It is important that the belt 31 be constituted of material which is non-water absorbent such that water is retained in the pores 32 of the belt 31 by capillary action and not by absorption. As the belt 31 passes through the tank 19 in a manner to be presently described, the pores 32 of the belt 31 have a water film formed thereon by surface tension. Since the water is thereby formed into a thin molecular film a maximum evaporative surface is presented to the How of forced hot air in the passage 15.

The continuous belt 31 is conveyed through the chamber 10 by means of rollers 33, 34, 35 and 36. The rollers 33, 34 and 35 are rotatably mounted on shafts 33a, 34a and 35a rotatively supported between the end walls 11 and 12 of the chamber 10. The roller 36 is a gravity roller which is immersed and suspended below the normal water level in the water tank 19. One or more belts 31 may be mounted on the rollers and in the preferred form as illustrated in FIGURE 3, three belts 31 are provided. In order to maintain the relative position of each belt the rollers have secured thereto or formed integrally therewith spacer members 37. These spacers 37 eliminate any tendency for the belts 31 to ride or slip.

The roller 36, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, is a gravity roller and is not connected in any manner to the chamber 10 or its component parts. In this manner the roller 36 automatically compensates for any slack in the belts 31 and maintains a fixed tension on the belts 31 in order to assure proper driving traction between the belts 31 and the driven roller 33.

The rollers 33 and 36 are so positioned that the path of travel of the belts 31 is at right angles to the flow of forced hot air through the passage 15 in the chamber 10. This insures that all the pores 32 in the belts 31 will be contacted by the flow of forced hot air.

The motion of the belts 31 is controlled and governed by a fan 38 which is mounted in the chamber The fan 38 is rotatably mounted on an axle 38a which is secured to the end walls 11 and 12 of the chamber 10. The fan 38 is provided with spaced blades 39 of any desired number so positioned as to intercept a maximum portion of the air flow in the passage 15.

The end of the fan axle 38a mounted in the end wall 11 has secured thereto a pulley 40. The end wall 11 also has rotatably mounted thereon pulleys 41, 42 and 43, the pulley 43 being mounted on the end of the rod mounting roller 33. The pulley 40 is interconnected to the double pulley 41 by a belt 44, the double pulley 41 is interconnected to the double pulley 42 by a belt 45 and the double pulley 42 is interconnected to the pulley 43 by a belt 46. The pulleys 40 through 43 may be interconnected in any desired manner in order to adjust the speed of the roller 33 and therefore the velocity of the belts 31. his to be noted that the movement of the belts 31 is dependent upon the movement'of hot air in the passage 15. When the furnace fan is shut off therefore the humidifier of the present invention ceases to operate so that humidification only occur s when the furnace fan is operative.

If desired, deflection plates 47 and 48 may be positioned at the entrance end of the passage 15 in order to direct the forced hot air directly against the blades 39 of the fan 38. The deflection plates 47 and 48 effectively decrease the area through which the forced hot air can flow and thereby increases the velocity of the hot air flow.

In operation when the furnace fan is on, forced hot air flows from the furnace through the duct 16. This rotates the fan 38 which through the interconnections previously described puts into motion the belts 31. The belts 31 pass into the tank 19 and convey water across the exit end of the passage 15. As the belts 31 move slowly across the hot air stream the water in the pores 32 is vaporized thus opening the pores 32 and allowing an ever increasing quantity of air to flow through the passage 15 until all the pores 32 in the belt 31 are free from water and the water has been carried as humidity by the hot air stream into the area of the structure to be heated.

Since the belt 31 is fabricated from material which is non-water absorptive, any lime accumulations on the belt 31 is limited to a superficial coating. Any large accumulation of lime on the belts 31 is prevented since as the belts 31 pass over the rollers 33 through 36 the belts 31 are flexed thereby breaking up any lime deposits. Since the belts 31 are self-cleaning, the humidifier of the present invention always operates at its peak evaporation capacity and the evaporation of water is therefore constant with humidity requirements.

It is to be noted that all water storage and water carrying components of the humidifier of the present invention are located in the path of travel of the hot air stream thereby reducing the evaporation heat energy. In addition, the fan 37 imparts a swirling action to the air stream as it passes through the passage 15 thereby improving the rate of evaporation.

What has been described is a compact humidifier unit which is designed to operate by virtue of the forced hot air flowing in the plenum or air duct of the hot air heating system in which the humidifier is installed. Since the humidifier of the present invention utilizes the moving hot air as its motivation and evaporation force it requires no external power or heat. It is to be understood that although a preferred form of the invention has been described, changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention except as limited by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A humidifier for mounting in a vertical forced hot air duct-comprising a chamber adapted to be secured to a wall of said air duct and having a passage therein to conduct said air therethrough, said chamber being secured to said wall with the passage therein in alignment with the flow of air in said duct, a continuous belt formed of a foraminated material which is nonwater absorbent, a plurality of spaced rollers in said passage, said belt trained around said rollers, at least one of said rollers bearing against the outside surface of said belt whereby said belt is flexed in two directions as it passes around said rollers, said rollers being positioned to enable said belt supported thereon to intercept the flow of said air through said passage whereby said air is caused to flow through the pores thereof, a water tank positioned adjacent said belt, one of said rollers being submerged in the water in said tank and supported solely by said belt to maintain constant tension thereon whereby a portion of said belt is constantly being immersed in said tank and the pores in said belt have a water film formed thereon by surface tension, valve means extending beneath the surface of the water in said tank to controllably replenish the water supply in said tank, resilient seat means in said tank adapted to shut off the flow of water from said valve means upon sealing contact therewith, said tank being pivotally supported at a point above and to one side of said seat means whereby as said tank is pivoted said seat means is moved approximately horizontally in andout of sealing contact with said valve means, spring means responsive to the volume of water in said tank to pivot said tank when the volume of water therein decreases whereby the seal between said valve means and seat means is broken and water enters said tank, fan means disposed in said passage and driven 'by the forced flow of air therethrough, and means mechanically intercoupling said fan means and said rollers to cause movement of said belt in response to the flow of air in said passage whereby said air is forced through the water film covered pores in said belt and is humidified thereby.

2. A humidifier for mounting in a vertical forced hot air duct comprising a chamber adapted to be secured to a wall of said air duct and having a passage therein to conduct said air therethrough, said chamber being secured to said wall with the passage therein in alignment with the flow of air in said duct, a continuous belt formed of a foraminated material which is non-water absorbent, a plurality of spaced rollers in said passage, said belt trained around said rollers, at least one of said rollers bearing against the outside surface of said belt whereby said belt is flexed in two directions as it passes around said rollers, said rollers being positioned to enable said belt supported thereon to intercept the flow of said air through said passage whereby said air is caused to flow through the pores thereof, a water tank positioned adjacent said belt, one of said rollers being submerged in the water in said tank and supported solely by said belt to maintain constant tension thereon whereby a portion of said belt is constantly being immersed in said tank and the pores in said belt have a water film formed thereon by surface tension, valve means extending beneath the surface of the water in said tank to controllably replenish the water sup ply in said tank, resilient seat means in said tank adapted to shut off the flow of water from said valve means upon sealing contact therewith, said tank being pivotally supported whereby as said tank is pivoted said seat means is brought into sealing contact with said valve means, spring means responsive to the volume of water in said tank to pivot said tank when the volume of water therein decreases whereby the seal between said valve means and seat means is broken and water enters said tank, fan means disposed in said passage and driven by the forced flow of air therethrough at a point preceding said belt in the direction of said air flow whereby a swirling action is imparted to said air flow, and means mechanically intercoupling said fan means and said rollers to cause movement of said belt in response to the flow of air in said passage whereby said air is forced through the water film covered pores in said belt and is humidified thereby.

3. A humidifier for mounting in a vertical forced hot air duct comprising a chamber adapted to be secured to a wall of said air duct and having a passage therein to conduct said air therethrough, said chamber being secured to said wall with the passage therein in alignment with the How of air in said duct, a continuous belt formed of a foraminated material which is non-water absorbent, a plurality of spaced rollers in said passage, said belt trained around said rollers, at least one of said rollers bearing against the outside surface of said belt whereby said belt is flexed in two directions as it passes around said rollers, said rollers being positioned to enable said belt supported thereon to intercept the flow of said air through said passage whereby said air is caused to flow through the pores thereof, a water tank positioned adjacent said belt, one of said rollers being submerged in the water in said tank and supported solely by said belt to maintain constant tension thereon whereby a portion of said belt is constantly being immersed in said tank and the pores in said belt have a water film formed thereon by surface tension, valve means extending beneath the surface of the water in said tank to controllably replenish the water supply in said tank, resilient seat means in said tank adapted to shut oif the flow of water from said valve means upon sealing. contact therewith, said tank being pivotally supported at a point above and to one side of said seat means whereby as said tank is pivoted said seat means is moved approximately horizontally in and out of sealing contact with said valve means, spring means responsive to the volume of water in said tank to pivot said tank when the volume of water therein decreases whereby the seal between said valve means and seat means is broken and water enters said tank, fan means disposed in said passage and driven by the forced flow of air therethrough at a point preceding said belt in the direction of said air flow whereby a swirling action is imparted to said air flow, and means mechanically intercoupling said fan means and said rollers to cause movement of said belt in response to the flow of air in said passage whereby said air is forced through the water film covered pores in said belt and is humidified thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,638,141 Bolling Aug. 9, 1927 1,976,401 Ilg 1 Oct. 9, 1934 2,158,543 Jensen May 16, 1939 2,573,158 Muth et a1 Oct. 30, 1951 2,588,567 Perlman Mar. 11, 1952 2,967,050 Geen Jan. 3, 1961 

